Family Day brings smiles at city's Roodner Court

Published 8:00 pm, Saturday, August 20, 2011

NORWALK -- Several children from Roodner Court were treated to hot dogs, face painting and various activities at the housing complex's playground for Family Day on Saturday.

Parents said the event provided the children with a structured, organized way to alleviate boredom.

"It's my first year coming, because I usually have to work," said Crisan Trusty, who took her 8-year-old daughter Eyjah Bledsoe to Family Day. "It's actually a good thing that housing does this because they don't really do much for kids."

The annual event, which was held from 12 to 3 p.m., featured various games, contests and giveaways as well as Deejay. Many children waited patiently in a long line to get their face painted. Eyjah said she wanted to have a butterfly painted on her face.

"I like that they could fly, and I wish I could fly, too," Eyjah said.

Denise Crosley, who watched her friend's son at the event, said many children at Family Day walked down to the park alone, because they knew that, even if their parents couldn't make it, an adult they knew would be nearby to supervise them.

Deirdra Davis, president of the Roodner Court Tenant's Association, said the goal of Family Day is to get Roodner Court residents involved in the community. Mayor Richard A. Moccia greeted children at the event.

Davis said she hears a lot of parents saying that children in Norwalk have nothing to do and in response, she has organized a variety of events for children. The Roodner Court's tennant association has hosted a well-attended series of movie nights for children in the park area at the housing complex. A Halloween parade will be held in the fall.

"What we are trying to do is make them have things to do in their own neighborhood," Davis said.